Vision & Mission

The Vision of Belmont's Convocation program is to be a common and shared experience that encourages the development of well-rounded individuals. Convocation reinforces Belmont's unique statement of purpose in providing "an academically challenging education in a Christian community." The program's history dates back to the former chapel program in which students were required to attend weekly services. In order to meet the needs of our changing student population and to create a broader learning experience, Belmont created the Convocation program.

Our Mission is to:

Encourage learning outside the classroom

Emphasize the value of life-long learning

Create opportunities for students to hear exciting issues presented by speakers from both on and off-campus

Challenge students to be active in serving their community

Contribute to community life at Belmont University

An Economy of Engagement Belmont enjoys a uniquely engaging campus community with a wide variety of opportunities to connect socially, intellectually, and spiritually both inside and outside the classroom. The University’s Convocation Program plays an important part in creating this environment. As a requirement for graduation for all fulltime undergraduate students, it creates a powerful economy that incentivizes engagement outside conventional curricular experiences. It is not intended to encompass the full quantity and variety of campus activity but is designed to emphasize and encourage co-curricular programs and events that promise particularly meaningful contributions to four specific categories of student development.

In addition, the Convocation Program recognizes and incentivizes students’ individual involvement in Community Service. Criteria for Convocation Credit Many meaningful campus programs and events take place each semester outside of the Convocation Program. Programs are considered for Convocation credit based on the following criteria:

The quality of their leadership Convocation program speakers or presenters must demonstrate advanced expertise and credibility in the subject to be presented.

Their pertinence and accessibility to a broad campus audience Convocation programs must be open to the entire campus community and address topics and/or experiences of interest and applicability to a wide variety of perspective and experience.

Their institutional alignment and strategic significance Convocation programs must be sponsored by a university organization, department, faculty or staff member. All program content and conduct must be consonant with the University’s Governing Ideas and Community Commitments and must clearly address one of the specified Convocation categories.

Their contribution to learning and student development Convocation programs must connect to and identify specific learning outcomes that are meaningful and achievable.

Content Students attend a predetermined number of programs in various categories. Requirements may vary based on when the student entered Belmont and transfer hours at the time of matriculation. Convocation includes a variety of experiences in the following categories:

Academic Lecture: A program with a primary focus on the presentation of topics relating to a field of scholarly significance, current event, or prominent issue.

Christian Faith Development: A program with a primary focus on introducing a student to the Christian faith, exploring relationships between the Christian faith and life, or offering opportunities for worship and teaching.

Culture & Arts: A program with a primary focus on cross-cultural experiences or the visual and performing arts. Study Abroad Credit: Students may receive two hours of credit in the "Culture & Arts" category for each academic credit hour completed in a Study Abroad program, up to a total of 10 convocation credits.

Personal & Professional Growth: A program with a primary focus on enhancing students’ emotional development, personal skills, or professional competencies or opportunities.

Community Service: Participation in an activity serving a charitable mission or cause which is 1) not required as part of an academic syllabus or academic honor society/service organization and 2) does not offer remuneration (pay, goods, services, future career advancement, etc.) to the student. Note: Community service must be done off-campus except for pre-approved on-campus service programs (blood drives, amnesty international letter writing, etc).

**Where program topic, content, or conduct is provocative or potentially divisive to the campus community, the university reserves the right to refuse the program or to require adjustments in the program in the interest of hospitality, critical engagement, and/or consonance with the university’s mission & vision.

Service-Learning Credit: Due to the emphasis that Belmont places on service-learning programs, students are allowed to earn convocation credit in the community service category in addition to the class credit they receive for their participation in Belmont-sponsored service-learning opportunities.

Process Students gain credits by attending approved programs in the various categories. Programs can include departmental or faculty lectures, guest speakers, musical events, art exhibits, etc. The student's ID is scanned at the program and then electronically transferred into a database of individual student records that holds each student's credits. Community Service credit is obtained by completing a form that indicates the nature of the service performed and a contact such as a supervisor that may be called for verification.

Graduation Convocation is a graduation requirement and students have not graduated for failure to complete their convo. It is very important that students keep track of their credits. These credits may be checked on the student's BIC account by clicking on the "My Convocation" icon.